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The Nibbia Chapel was built in 1619 with funds of the knight Fra Giorgio Nibbia, who was buried there upon his death. The chapel was dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy (or the Madonna della Pietà), and it stood next to a cemetery where patients who had died at the Sacra Infermeria were buried. It was used mainly to celebrate mass for the souls of these patients. The chapel was commonly referred to as ta' Nibbia after the knight who built it, but it was also called taz-zuntier, a Maltese word which formerly meant "cemetery".

The original chapel was dismantled in 1730, and it was rebuilt in 1731 to designs attributed to the Baroque architect Romano Carapecchia. In 1776, the Sacra Infermeria cemetery was cleared, and the human remains were transferred into an ossuary beneath the chapel.[

In 1852, chaplain of the hospital Rev. Sacco decided to decorate the crypt with human remains from the cemetery. It therefore became known as the Chapel of Bones, and by the early 20th century it had become an attraction for both the Maltese and tourists, being featured on a number of postcards. Over the years, local tradition held that the bones in the crypt did not belong to Sacra Infermeria patients, but to soldiers who had died during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Saint George Preca held conferences about Christian eschatology within this chapel. Several pilgrimages were held at the chapel, especially during the month of November.

The chapel was damaged by aerial bombardment on 14 February 1941, during World War II. Some human remains were apparently collected and buried at the Addolorata Cemetery, although the crypt might still survive intact. The chapel's ruins were demolished in the late 1970s, leaving only a few remains on the site.

The remains of the chapel, which include Nibbia's sarcophagus, are now found in a cordoned area in the car park of Evans Building. The ruins were given a facelift by the Archaeological Services Cooperative and the Grupp Arkeologiku Malti (Maltese Archeology Group) in 2002, but they have since fallen into a state of disrepair. These remains were scheduled as a Class B national monument by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in 2008.

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Born in Hamrun on the 26th July 1923, Oreste Kirkp made his operatic debut on the 24th February 1945 at the Radio City Opera House, Hamrun in Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni in the part of Turiddu. Up to 1950 he sung leading tenor roles with Maltese and visiting Italian opera companies. During this time, his repertoire was 10 operas among which was a Maltese opera Il figlio del sole. He also appeared in concert with Tito Gobbi and Maria Caniglia in 1949/1950. After starting his career overseas in 1950 and increasing his repertoire, he became the leading tenor and the first Maltese to sing a major principal role at the Covent Garden Royal Opera House, London between 1954 and 1958.

During this time in 1953, he represented Malta for the Coronation Commonwealth Gala and then in 1956 - 1957 he was a guest star at the Hollywood Bowl concerts in Los Angeles.

For some, his title role in Hollywood's musical movie The vagabond king was the peak of his career, but for others it seems to have been its ruin. For a little while between 1957 and 1958 he was the leading tenor of the NBC Opera Company, New York and toured some of the major cities of the U.S. Here he also appeared on shows and as the Duke in the first Rigoletto on T.V. He retired in Malta in 1960.

Writing in Opera magazine, music critic Harold Rosenthal said "The Maltese tenor Oreste Kirkop proved himself to be a singer of real merit. Good tenors are scarce everywhere and worth their weight in gold. Not since Gigli's appearance in Cavaradossi's role, has this been so beautifully sung." In 1979, Malta's state radio won an international competition "Portrait of a Prominent Performing Artist." featuring the career of Oreste and in March of that year, Oreste was honoured by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, and presented with a Gold Medal. In 1996 a double CD album containing 41 tracks of opera and song sung by Oreste Kirkop was issued in Malta. He died on the 10th May 1998 and soon a monument in his honour in the form of his bust was raised in the Schembri Street area. The

area was refurbished in 2010 and a small public garden erected in his name. A bronze bas-relief of Oreste Kirkop was unveiled in 2006 in the Manoel Theatre courtyard at Valletta. He is shown in the role of the duke in Rigoletto. Minister Dr.Zammit Dimech said that Malta's history revolves around characters like Oreste who dedicated their lives to art and music. "Due to their culture, the Maltese distinguished themselves from personalities from other countries," he said.

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The word terramaxka comes from the Maltese words kitarra magica, which means, magical guitar. In English, this instrument, is given a variety of names including, street organ, crank organ, barrel organ, fair organ and so forth. Street organs were imported in Malta from European countries such as France and Switzerland during the late nineteenth century.

A huge diversity of these organs could be found in Malta. The most common terramaxka was a very light weight organ usually hung round the neck of the busker, and rested on a small pole. These were operated using punched cards. All genres of music were played including the tango, operas, polka and waltzes. Some organs were operated by a crank

turned by hand. Others were larger, usually decorated with flags and small wooden statues, these were driven by a donkey or the owner himself and attracted many young children. Similar to nowadays jukeboxes, were the coin-operated organs, called café organs, which were more commonly found in cafés and pubs popular to sailors. Finally, there were also terramaxkas found in homes of wealthy people. These organs used to be richly ornamented with gold and precious stones.The Terramaxka was a popular instrument in the Maltese Islands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These street organs, as popularly known in English, dates back to 1929 and were originally imported from European countries such as France and Switzerland. Locals and tourists were recently pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the site of this colourful and lively terramaxka at the Valletta entrance with its nostalgic music which often enlightened the back in the 50s.

One of the oldest places of Christian worship on Malta, this beautiful and fascinating underground Basilica was used by St Agatha to practice Christianity during her refuge here. Covering a total area of over 4100 sq. metres and sited under one of Malta’s oldest Churches, the crypt and catacombs of St. Agatha have unique Siculo Byzantine and Graeco Roman style frescos. Originally a small natural cave, the crypt was extended during the medieval period and the various tombs found in these hypogea reflect the Punic, Jewish and Christian faiths. Some of the over 500 tombs are decorated with reliefs and frescoes and there are two Agapee table placings where dinners in

honour of the dead took place.

Attraction Information Address: St Agatha Motherhouse, St Agatha Lane , Rabat RBT 2020

Opening Hours:Monday–Friday 10.00–17.00. Saturday 10.00–13.00. Closed on Sundays and public holidays

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Perched over Mellieha's golden beaches, St Agatha's Tower, also known as the Red Tower, was built in 1647 by the Order of St John to strengthen northern coastal defences during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris de Castellar. A marble plaque over its entrance shows it was dedicated to St Agatha, a christian martyr who was venerated as a symbol of strength against invasion and the plague in both Sicily and Malta

From its roof it commands marvellous views over Mellieha Bay and over the Straits of Comino all the way to Gozo. When fully manned it could garrison 49 men and held enough water to withstand a siege of 40 days. It boasted five cannons on its roof. During the British period, the Red Tower was used as a defence post and then as a radar station by the Armed Forces of Malta. There are various items of interest in the tower and a small chapel to St. Agatha. A bracing walk on Mellieha Ridge through a heritage and nature trail in the protected green area, Foresta 2000, will reveal several hidden features, natural habitats and wild flowers which change with

the seasons.

Attraction Information Address: Mellieha Ridge, Mellieha Opening Hours: Winter - Oct- May - 10.00 -16.00 Summer - June - September - 10.00 - 13.00 and 15.00 - 18.00

Position and Early History Perched on a series of hills to the north-west of Malta lies the small town of Mellieħa. Its elevated maritime position, being surrounded on three sides by the Blue Mediterranean Sea, gives it magnificent views all around. It is about 150 metres above sea level and it overlooks the beautiful sandy beach of Mellieħa Bay. Today, Mellieħa has a community of about 9000 inhabitants and comprises new housing estates such as Il-Qortin, Santa Maria Estate, Ta’ Pennellu, Mellieħa Heights, Ta’ Masrija and Tal-Ibraġ. It also incorporates the small villages of Selmun and Manikata.

When, around 8000BC, the first inhabitants of Malta came over from Sicily, they must surely have been attracted to this place which is characterised by a series of hills and valleys which abound in large caves, sheltered areas, fertile soil and natural spring water. So Mellieħa must have been a great centre for troglodytic habitations, as period shards of pottery abundantly indicate. Later still, as we find in several places around Mellieħa, as at ‘Ta Msid’ in Aħrax, Armier, Għajn Ġejtuna, Imġiebaħ and other areas, we find instances of megalithic remains while Punic-Roman and Palaeo-Christian tombs are also still visible near San Niklaw, Ħawwiexa and Selmun.The enigmatic cart ruts which are scattered in many places in Malta are also present in several garigue areas around Mellieħa. Many consist of two narrow parallel gutters cut into the rock face. Sometimes they intersect and those near Paradise Bay lead to the cliff’s edge and disappear somewhere under the sea.The legendary nymph Calypso also features in the Mellieħa spectrum with a cave complex overlooking Ġnien Ingraw Valley attributed to her as her abode while entertaining Ulysses. Some historians maintain that the description given by Homer tallies exactly with this place. One of the organised heritage trails passes very near to this place.

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The Sanctuary According to the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul was shipwrecked in the vicinity of Mellieħa in the year 60AD. An old tradition maintains that Saint Luke, who was with Saint Paul during this same voyage, painted the figure of Our Lady on the bare rock-face of a natural cave in Mellieħa. Another tradition strengthens this further and we find that in the year 409AD a number of bishops visited and consecrated this same cave as a church. In the year 1436, during the Pastoral Visit of Bishop Senatore De Mello, it is certain that this Cave-Chapel of Mellieħa had from many years earlier been established as one of the first ten parishes of Malta. The Icon of Our Lady that we see in the Mellieħa Sanctuary today

has been dated at around 1000-1100AD and it bears Byzantine-style characteristics. Unfortunately, in a corsair attack in 1614, the holy Icon was severely damaged in its lower part, and during the 17th and 18th centuries it often happened that the scattered Mellieħa community had to abandon the village to seek shelter further inland. However, in spite of this ever present fear of such attacks on the shallow coastline around Mellieħa, the devotion towards this Sanctuary, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, flourished and hundreds of pilgrims from all over the world came to visit it and beseech Our Lady’s help. They donated ExVoto gifts in the form of oil, candles, money, paintings, silver and other objects. Many bishops, Grand Masters of the Order of St. John and other prominent people have visited the Sanctuary and in 1960 and 1965 Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI sent large decorative candles to be placed at the feet of Our Lady of Mellieħa. In 1990 this same Sanctuary was honoured by a visit by Pope John Paul II who prayed in front of the holy Icon. The Sanctuary acts as an oasis where man can find peace of mind, body and soul and today it is listed among 20 other National European Shrines forming the European Marian Network based in Lourdes, France.

31/01/2017

Christmas is not just about receiving but also a time for giving. MaltaPost took on a number of initiatives to help several NGOs in Malta such as the Malta Community Chest Fund, Dar tal-Providenza and the Inspire Foundation during the festive season.

During the last few weeks of 2016, Inspire calendars started being sold from all Post Offices around Malta and Gozo. These ‘Kelma Kelma' calendars feature 12 different paintings by Maltese artists along with a Maltese saying according to the particular month. All proceeds from these calendars went to the Inspire Foundation. In addition, MaltaPost delivered, free of charge the calendars that were purchased through the Inspire website.

To further assist the Inspire Foundation during the festive season, MaltaPost once again promoted the initiative known as ‘Letter from Santa'. Parents and guardians were urged to apply for a personalised letter from Santa Claus himself, paid a small fee for this letter, and the proceeds generated from this initiative were matched by MaltaPost and donated to Inspire.

MaltaPost contributed to the Malta Community Chest Fund initiatives by supporting the sale of the popular recipe book "Tisjir mill-Qalb" from its retail network and delivered free of charge hundreds of books to clients who ordered trough the MCCF online portal. MaltaPost was also present during the Malta Community Chest Fund's national event, L-Istrina. During this fundraising event, staff from MaltaPost offered their time to answer telephone calls and presented a donation.

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In order to be of help for the ‘Festa ta' Ġenerożita' organised by id-Dar tal-Providenza, MaltaPost delivered free of charge the flyers related to this event to localities in Malta. The company also assisted the cause by donating prestigious philatelic items for the auction that was organised for this event.

"Having such an active role within the Maltese community, we feel duty bound to assist those families and children who are going through a difficult time. I would like to thank all our members of staff and management who year after year go the extra mile to help the community" said MaltaPost's Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Gafa'.

Among the officially gazetted Roman Catholic chaplains to the forces were Rev. Fr J. Verzin and Rev. Mgr Canon P. Cavendish, who proceeded to the Dardanelles together with Maltese officers. Both had served with the British contingent in Crete during the insurrection in 1896. While serving in Gallipoli, Fr Verzin fell ill and was invalided; he was a patient in a hospital in Alexandria before he returned to Malta.

Other military chaplains were Rev. Mgr Canon F. Ferris, Rev. Fr G.M. Consiglio of the Augustinian Order, who served in one of the hospital ships, and Rev. Fr G. Dimech from Mosta (picture left), who took spiritual charge of the Maltese stevedores of the Maltese Labour Corps Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Lemnos and Gallipoli.

The first Roman Catholic service for French families in Malta was held in the church of St Barbara in Valletta. A large congregation attended, so much so that the church did not offer sufficient accommodation; several of the congregation had to stand throughout the whole service.

Madame Chochprat, wife of the distinguished admiral, greeted the ladies as they arrived. Rev. Fr L. Barthet, superior of the Franciscans Order of Friars Minor Conventual, celebrated Mass and delivered a sermon in French, which was listened to with great attention and highly appreciated. The congregation included persons of every rank, from the ordinary seaman to the captain of the man-of-war.

Lord Kitchener, who complimented the Maltese Corps while carrying out an inspection of the Allied position in Gallipoli. Right: Governor of Malta, Lord Methuen, through whose foresight Malta

was well equipped with hospitals for the Gallipoli campaign.

Pope Pius X died in August 1914. The announcement of his death would, at any other time, have thrown half the world into the saddest commotion. But the world was shaken to its foundation by the war. The hoarse roar of battle, the sweep and crash of cavalry and the clash of lance and sword drowned all sounds.

The Pope was the representative of Christ, the divine man of peace, who came on earth to reconcile nations with each other and to heal all the diseases of mankind, of which war is, perhaps, the very worst. In the first months following the start of hostilities, Malta almost enjoyed the blessings of peace, except for an immediate upward trend in the prices of food and essential commodities.

The government exercised vigilance. To ensure an adequate supply of sugar, it was distributed through government-licenced retail sugar dealers who were obliged to affix in a conspicuous part of their shops their licences and lists of retail prices as fixed by the government. Non-compliance could lead to imprisonment. In order to ease the situation, the prohibition of the export of foodstuffs from the UK to Malta was withdrawn. Meanwhile, export of potatoes, onion and oranges from Malta to all destinations was not allowed. Beef was imported for the first time from Australia, though this measure had still to be accepted by the population. Cattle were imported from Tunis and the Sudan. As a result of the presence of a large garrison on the island, the military authorities offered to favourably consider claims for damages to crops, trees and other private property caused by the troops.

Father G. Dimech 1915

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Philippine Honorary Consul to Malta assumes office

Ambassador to Italy Dominigo Molasco with the Philippine honorary consul – Roger Strickland Jr.

The Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Malta Roger Strickland Jr took office last year saying he aims to further strengthen relations between the two countries and promising a timely and efficient service to the Filipino community in Malta.

Soon after Mr Strickland assumed his role, the Ambassador of the Philippines to Italy, Domingo Nolasco, met with leaders and

members of the Filipino community in Malta to promote overseas voting. During this visit, Mr Strickland met Filipino community leaders and volunteers during an Embassy outreach mission conducted Philippinbin Malta.

The consul intends to proactively enhance collaboration between the two countries across a wide spectrum of matters by consciously promoting dialogue. He also envisions that the consulate will provide effective organisational support to many joint initiatives, trade delegations, as well as the set-up of a Malta-Philippines investment board. “It is very important to establish a double tax treaty between the countries,’’ he said. “There are myriad investment opportunities to be explored and establishing closer trade relations between the countries is key.”

Mr Strickland further believes that the consulate can also serve as a forum to create employment opportunities for the Filipino community. Over the past few years, the Filipino community in Malta has doubled and figures are rising. This influx is due to the many work opportunities available. A good amount of opportunities stem from Malta’s investments in the healthcare sector. There has also been a heavy demand for qualified household workers.

A boom in the financial services sector on the island has also increased demand for professional jobs such as auditors and accountants, with many Filipinos coming to work with renowned audit firms.The role of the honorary consul is guided by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The honorary consul in Malta is assisted by the Protocol and Consular Directorate of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Mr Nolasco congratulated the consul on his appointment, saying he looked forward to expanding and developing cooperation. The Philippine Consulate in Malta is located in The Penthouse, Tower Business Centre, Swatar. The consulate will be available within opening hours (Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5pm and Fridays from 8am to 2pm). An administrator would be present during these hours. The Honorary Consul will be available by appointment.

Port signs and Instructions to Immigrants

At Fremantle Port, Western Australia 1950s

Show image caption Port signs and Instructions to Immigrants. Donated by Fremantle Ports Image: Western Australian Museum

White immigration sign, inscribed: 'HAWNHEKK NITKELLMU BIL-MALTI , with word 'BIL-MALTI' in larger red text. Red and white Maltese flag in upper right hand corner of sign. Translation: 'Maltese is spoken here'

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Order of Malta chapel blessed

The chapel of the Order of Malta Philippines along R. Hidalgo in Quiapo was

blessed last Oct. 7, feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Cardinal Rosales, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, was main

celebrant with the magistral chaplains of the order, namely: Msgr. Esteban Lo

and Fr. Genaro Diwa. The other priests were Fr. Baltazar Obico, superior of the

Franciscan Order; Fr. Andrew Litigo, OFM Cap, parish priest of Our Lady of the

Abandoned; and Fr. Boyd Sulpico, OP.

The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Philermo whose icon was supposed to have

been painted by St. John in Ephesus. The Hospitallier Knights found the icon in

the fortress island of Rhodes in the Central Mediterranean where they retreated when they fled the Holy

Land during the Crusades.

Donated altar

The altar which belonged to Doña Macaria

Madrigal de Leon was donated by her children

Mary de Leon and Joe Vincent de Leon. Doña

Macaria was a Dame of Magistral Grace of the

Order of Malta. Also on the altar is a statue of

Blessed Fra Gerard, founder of the Order of

Malta in Jerusalem in the llth century. Dr.

Leopoldo Lazatin was invested as Knight of

Magistral Grace during the event. Present

were the “dames” and “knights” of the order.

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Singers: Frank Camilleri, Michael

Magrin, Emanuel Zammit,

Angelo Buttigieg. Musicians:

Victor Gauci, Fred Cachia, Joe

Grech.

HD video, stereo audio, 10 minutes, 2015 -

Part singing, part public argument, part

entertainment, and part public confession,

the song form of ‘Spirtu Pront’ emanates from

working class bars in Malta. One from Mosta,

Two from Żabbar presents this anachronistic form where improvised and often inflammatory grievances are

publicly aired in a highly disciplined mode of practice, with strict stylistic and social rules. The singing is

extremely skillful, in a loud and tightly strained voice, exemplifying Malta's dual Arabic and European

influences.

The argument and counterargument can be quite personal and local, with the private struggles of each

individual laid bare. However, it also suggests wider honour codes and the rhetoric of legal and international

disputes. The ritual incorporates a cadenza where everyone respectfully resolves their grievances and

emphatically reconfirms the need for friendship and brotherhood. Here, ritualised argument can be seen as a

positive social platform for the resolution of conflict.

Exhibitions - Substation Contemporary Art Prize, The Substation, Melbourne (winner, 2016); 64th Blake Prize

finalist exhibition, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney (2016); Incinerator Art Award: Art for Social Change, Incinerator

Gallery, Melbourne (2016). The artists gratefully acknowledge the support of members of Maltese Club ‘Klabb

Ghannejja Maltin’ St Albans, Melbourne, Australia including George Acquilina, Jez Attard, Sam Brincat,

Charlene Formosa, Maria Formosa, Manuel Casha and Manwel Cassar. This project has been supported by the

Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

The second Culture Matters seminar showcases the results of the Valletta 2018 Foundation’s in-depth, analytical research into the impacts of the European Capital of Culture on various sectors of society. Some of the main issues addressed throughout the seminar include participation in cultural activity, the impact of socio-urban changes in Valletta on local communities, the accessibility of the Valletta 2018 Cultural Programme, and the economic impacts of the European Capital of Culture in Malta.

Researchers forming part of the Valletta 2018 Evaluation & Monitoring team will be presenting their ongoing research and discussing their findings with the audience throughout the seminar. The full programme is available at the Valletta 2018 website. Date: Thursday 23rd February 2017 Venue: University of Malta Valletta Campus Registration closes on 20th February. Attendance is on a first come first served basis

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Most Maltese immigrants came to the United States during the first decades of the 20th century after the discharge of skilled workers from the Royal British Dockyard in 1919 following the end of World War I. More than 1,300 Maltese came to the United States in the first quarter of 1920. Many people found work in the automobile industry, and with about 5,000 residents, Detroit had the largest Maltese population in the United States. Maltese in Detroit focuses on the many people of Maltese descent who made their homes in Detroit’s Corktown area.

By the mid-1920s, it is believed that more than 15,000 Maltese had settled in the United States. After World War II , the Maltese government launched a program to pay passage for Maltese willing to immigrate and remain abroad for at least two years. By the mid-1990s, an estimated more than 70,000 Maltese immigrants and descendants were living in the United States, with the largest single community in Detroit and its surrounding suburbs.

Diane Gale Andreassi was born in Detroit to Rita (Borg) and James Gale. Andreassi's mother was from Sliema, Malta, and her father, James, was born and raised in Mosta, Malta. Both of them immigrated to Detroit and met in the city's Corktown community, where they were married and started their family; with that, her father changed his name from Galea to Gale.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.

Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 50 miles south of Italy, 176 miles east of Tunisia, and 207 miles north of Libya. It is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries.

Detroit is home to the largest population of Maltese in North America. Since the early 1900s, the Maltese have had a large presence and impact on Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, where the Maltese people and the Maltese American Benevolent Society are an integral part of the community to this day.

Join us at the Maltese club in Corktown for historian, Marc Sanko, who will talk about the history of Maltese Americans in Detroit. His talk will be accompanied by photographs from the digital archive he is establishing. Marc will also discuss the

assimilation pressures for the Maltese in the U.S. compared to Commonwealth nations such as Canada and Australia

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Some of the Maltese male survivors of the MV Skaubryn on the wharf in Aden. The ship caught fire

on its way to Australia not long after coming out of the Suez Canal and into the Indian Ocean 1951-58 - - Number of voyages - - 4 Number of Maltese Passengers - 2576 The Skaubryn left Malta on the last day of March 1958, having embarked 169 men, women and children at Valletta. About 3 days out of Aden, in the Indian Ocean, fire swept the decks from the direction of the engine room and soon the vessel was engulfed in flames. Passengers were assisted to lifeboats, the ship was abandoned and soon sank. Some passengers were rescued by the 'CITY OF SYDNEY', a tanker and a tug. Returned to Aden, the passengers completed their journey to Australia in "Roma" and "Orsova!'. No one lost their life in direct consequence of the fire.

Joe Farrugia’s voyage to Sydney in 1952: MS SKAUBRYN anchored at the Grand Harbour, Malta I have just spent over an hour on this site reading some of the SS Skaubryn history in which I had some personal involvement. Although I was not on the ill-fated 1958 voyage, I still feel I am one of those who feel some pride in the fact that this liner took me to Australia, arriving in Sydney on October 12, 1952. My experience is that this ship was a rather fast going liner and had no problem dealing with mountainous seas whilst in the Indian Ocean. But we did have some rather exciting moments for suddenly she stopped and the ship was stationary and listing for a few days. It turned out we waiting for assistance, as apparently the propeller had fallen off and obviously by now was lying somewhere on the ocean floor! Walking at a 45 degree angle anywhere on the ship was certainly an eerie experience. However, after a few days all was set to go and we eventually made it into Sydney to receive a royal welcome, if anything by relatives and friends. I do have a special recollection of a couple of Scandinavian ladies, a mother and her daughter Eva Sivertsen. It was so nice of them to want me to join them and keeping company together at mealtimes and during most of the journey to Australia. The latest news I had was that the family moved to the skiing mountains where they lived in one of the tourists chalets/resorts. I remember them telling me that back at their homeland skiing was a daily experience especially in the winter season. While in Sydney, the Sivertsen Family lived in Glebe near Sydney, in New South Wales. I would love to re-establish contact with this family as it was my first friendship outside the country of my birth, being Malta. I am now married and live on the east coast of the USA in the city of Norwalk, Connecticut. One never knows, but just in case a Sivertsen family member reads this - here is my email address: joefarrugia33@aol.com. Sincerely, Joe Farrugia USA

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Kav Joe M Attard – Victoria -Gozo

CARNIVAL IN GOZO Ta’ kull sena ħafna min-niesna tistenna b’ħerqa l-Karnival. Għadek issib ħafna dilettanti ta’ dawn il-festi folkloristiċi u rikrejattivi li jafu l-bidu tagħhom qabel il-wasla tal-Kavallieri fostna. Naturalment dawn il-festi tradizzjonali u popolari jiddependu ħafna fuq il-burdata tat-temp. Fil-gżira tagħna l-Karnival din is-sena jibda l-Gimgħa 24 ta’ Frar u jibqa’ jkarkar sat-Tlieta l-aħħar jum ta’ Frar (it-Tnejn filgħaxija jien inkun qed nippreżenta l-Karnival f’Ta Sannat) meta s-soltu fi Triq ir-Repubblika Victoria jkun hemm il-Gran Finale li jinkludi żfin fi Triq Fortunato Mizzi bis-sehem tal-kumpaniji taż-żfin, maskri grotteski, karrijiet trijonfali u baned. It-tfal tal-iskola flimkien mal-għalliema jieħdu gost b’jumejn vaganza, għad li ħafna minnhom jieħdu sehem mal-iskola tagħhom. U allaħares ma kienx hekk. Jekk ma tinvestix fit-tfal, il-ġejjieni tal-Karnival jista’ jkun wieħed imċajpar. Ta’ tfal li konna niftakarni nfittxu fil-gwardarobbi t’ommi u nsibu xi libsa tgħodd għalina u erħilna nxidduha u niġru mat-toroq tar-Rabat b’wiċċna mgermed b’xi tapp ta’ flixkun maħruq u b’xi bastun f’idejna! Jien trabbejt fl-atmosfera tal-Karnival għax missieri, Alla jaħfirlu, mhux darba u tnejn kien

jiġbor madwaru salt ħbieb u jidħlu fl-‘enclosure’ fuq xi truck u jaqsmu lil kulħadd bid-daħk billi darba niftakar għamlu operazzjoni medika u darba oħra tellgħu rocket fil-qamar! Kont inħossni fis-seba’ sema niġri fil-garage ta’ missieri narahom jibnu l-float, jiżbgħu l-maskeruni u jhejju l-kostumi. Dak kien żmien! Mhux ta’ b’xejn għadni nieħu gost mippreżenta xi programm jew serata tal-Karnival għalkemm issa qbiżt is-sebgħin sena!

Naħseb li ħafna min-niesna tħobb toħroġ biex tara l-Karnival b’mod speċjali dak organizzat mill-Kunsill tal-Kultura fi ħdan il-Ministeru għal Għawdex li jsir fil-qalba tar-Rabat, b’mod speċjali fl-Enclosure ta’ Pjazza Indipendenza li issa għandha paviment tassew sabiħ, kif ukoll fi Triq ir-repubblika u Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Karnival organizzat li jkun jinkludi karrijiet trijonfali, maskri grotteski, kumpaniji tat-tfal u tal-kbar bil-kostum u danza, xi ‘hilarious company’, kompetizzjoni għall-aħjar kostum , il-ballu tal-Karnival, il-Parata, baned Għawdxin, kumpaniji barranin u divertiment ieħor. Iż-żagħżugħ artista Dennis Mompalao mill-Victoria din is-sena kien hu li pinġa Poster tassew interessanti għal dawn il-jiem li jfakkarni f’ħabib tiegħi li għandu ħafna għal qalbu l-Karnival. Naħseb li ħafna mill-qarrejja jiftakru lil Fredu Spiteri tal-leverist li kien jara x’jivvinta għal Karnival -- darba minnhom ħareġ liebes nofsu fqir u nofsu sinjur; darba oħra ħareġ ikaxkar warajh il-bieb tad-dar bħal Gaħan tal-istorja! Intant xi drabi naraw ukoll iż-żifna antika tal-Kumittiva magħrufa ħafna fost in-nies ta’ San Lawrenz u dawk tax-Xagħra, fix-xaqliba tan-‘Nazzarenu’. Kien hemm xi snin meta konna naraw ukoll il-Kukkanja iżda din issa ilha ftit ma ssir fil-belt Victoria. Ġie li kellna wkoll xi ġirja fl-enclosure wara xi qasqus (catch the pig) imma din ilha li nqatgħet. Il-Karnival jiġi biss darba fis-sena u kulħadd jista’ jwarrab għal mument is-serjeta’ u jċarrat snienu biex jidħak ftit. Id-daħk jingħad li jnaqqas it-tikmix fil-wiċċ w allura għax ma nitbissmux ftit! Iżda ma ninsewx li hekk kif jintemm, l-għada, jibda żmien ir-Randan, jiem ta’ sawm u astinenza, żmien totalment differenti, iżda li jrid ikun ukoll. Għalhekk il-munita għandha żewġ faċċati, ħbieb! Din is-sena ħa ngawduhom - Dawn il-jiem ta’ ferħ u bluha Jalla fil-fond jibqgħu dieħla - Ta’ dawk li qalbhom muġugħa! Tinsewx li kif jisbaħ l-għada - Ikun sawm u astinenza; Illum mela niddevertu - Wara żmien ta’ penitenza. Kav. Joe M Attard Victoria Għawdex

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The Castellania (Maltese: Il-Kastellanija; Italian: La Castellania), officially known as the Castellania Palace (Italian: Palazzo Castellania; Maltese: Il-Palazz Kastellanja), is a former courthouse and prison in Valletta, Malta. It was built by the Order of St. John between 1757[a] and 1760, on the site of an earlier courthouse which had been built in 1572.

The building was built in the Baroque style to designs of the architects Francesco Zerafa and Giuseppe Bonici. It is a prominent building in Merchants Street, having an ornate façade with an elaborate marble centrepiece. Features of the interior include former court halls, a chapel, prison cells, a statue of Lady Justice at the main staircase and an ornate fountain in the courtyard.

From the late 18th to the early 19th century, the building was also known by a number of names, including the Palazzo del Tribunale, the Palais de Justice and the Gran Corte della Valletta. By the mid-19th century the building was deemed too small, and the courts were gradually moved to Auberge d'Auvergne between 1840 and 1853. The Castellania was then abandoned, before being briefly converted into an exhibition centre, a tenant house and a school.

In 1895, the building was converted into the head office of the Public Health Department. The department was eventually succeeded by Malta's health ministry (currently known as the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care), which is still housed in the Castellania. The building's ground floor contains a number of shops, while belongings of Sir Themistocles Zammit's laboratory are now housed on the second floor and is open to the public by appointment as The Brucellosis Museum Address:: Nos 11-19 Merchant Street Valletta Current: Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care Architects: Francesco Zerafa Giuseppe Bonnici

In response to the Holy Father’s invitation, Msgr Benedict Camilleri, Director of Ta Pinu Shrine Bacchus Marsh, Australia, wishes to make a personal to appeal to you and and while doing so, sends his prayers of gratitude for ‘spreading the words around you’ – to those who may wish to be part of this event, specially the Sick, the Carers and the family members affected by the sufferings of their loved ones.

This request is specially being made to the Community group leaders, chaplains and other spiritual leaders involved within the community at the Shrine and the general public.

It is not unusual that we choose to decline to share the news or to simply discard the note. But to all those who believe that it is our duty as “True Soldiers of Jesus and Mary” to spread the devotion, We thank you!!!

We thank you for your special mention in own network , could it be on your newsletter, your parish/school bulletin on your Facebook page or simply word of mouth.

Whichever way you choose to help us to bring our friends in need to Him and His mother Mary, we are very grateful. God Bless Josette Salomon

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You can obtain a Maltese ID card if you are a Maltese national, an EU citizen, or a non-EU citizen holding a Maltese residence permit, working permit, or freedom of movement permit. Upon presentation, this card entitles you to discount bus fares in Malta and Gozo. It is used to open accounts at telecommunications providers, to apply for insurance, on property leases, etc. To get your Maltese ID card visit the Evans Building at St. Elmo Place in Valletta, across from Fort St. Elmo, on the perimeter

road of the city. This office is open Monday to Friday, 730hrs/7:30am to 1400hrs/2:00pm, Wednesday 1500hrs/3:00pm to 1800hrs/6:00pm, and Saturday 730hrs/7:30am to 1030hrs/10:30am. ID cards are provided free of charge. Bring with you:

1. Your passport. Your passport must contain a residential or working permit sticker that will not expire for at least three months after the day you apply for an ID card.

2. Your residence or working permit. 3. An application form. You can download applications online from Malta’s Electoral

Commission web site. 4. A passport sized photo for your application form. 5. If you are a married female, you must also bring with you your original marriage certificate

or separation/divorce papers.

When you arrive at the ID card Office, an appropriate authority will review your application form and documents. You will be directed to have your ID photo taken (free of charge). Make sure you are wearing suitable clothing – sleeveless or strapless tops are not permitted in ID photos (but you can smile if you’d like). You will then proceed to another room where you will electronically sign your card.

You will receive a letter by post within 14 days of submitting your ID card application, notifying you to collect your ID card from the same ID card Office. Bring with you this letter, as well as your passport, to collect your new ID card.

ID cards for non-EU citizens are not to be used for travel purposes. They are only to be used for identification purposes in the Maltese Islands.

“Why all Maltese citizens living abroad who hold a Maltese passport cannot obtain a

Maltese ID CARD and all its priveleges?” Editor

http://www.expat-quotes.com/guides/malta/visas-and-permits/getting-an-id-card.htm

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PROGRAMM TA’ EMPOWERMENT LI JIFFOKA FUQ IL-KITBA KREATIVA

Nhar il-Ġimgħa 27 ta’ Jannar 2017 ġewwa t-Teatru Orpheum, il-Gżira, tniedet il-pubblikazzjoni finali ta’

TAĦŻIŻ4. L-editur għal din l-edizzjoni kien Kit Azzopardi.

Tul dan il-programm offrut mill-Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, u ikkordinat mill-Għaqda tal-Malti, saru numru ta’

seminars residenzjali u laqgħat oħra, anke f’Għawdex, li fihom ġew iġġenerati kitbiet b’esperimentazzjoni.

Il-parteċipanti f’din l-edizzjoni kienu Michael Carol Bartolo, Diane Cutajar, Rachelle Deguara, Kimberly

Hatherly, Maria Pellicano, u Victoria Pisani. Xi wħud mis-seminars kienu miftuħa għall-pubbliku.

Parteċipanti oħrajn kienu Clive Piscopo, Mireille Borg, Yana Mizzi, Matthew Schembri u Gabriel Pace.

Waqt it-tnedija kien hemm il-grupp Cryptic Street, magħmul minn ħames tfajliet, idoqqu mużika

kontemporanja. Is-serata tmexxiet minn Glen Calleja. Dawk preżenti ngħataw ukoll il-pubblikazzjoni,

filwaqt li xi ftit tnaqqir ma naqasx!

Waqt din is-serata, tħabbret is-sejħa għal TAĦŻIŻ5. L-

applikazzjonijiet huma miftuħa sal-20 ta’ Frar għal żgħażagħ

bejn 18 u 30 sena. TAĦŻIŻ5 se jkun imqassam tul seminars

residenzjali u seminars oħrajn, b’pubblikazzjoni u ċertifikat li

jingħataw f’tnedija li tittella’ apposta. Matul il-programm se

jkun hemm ukoll xi workshops miftuħa għal udjenza magħżula,

fosthom żgħażagħ li huma iżgħar minn 18. Il-parteċipazzjoni hi

b’xejn, imma jintalab depożitu żgħir li jingħata lura meta l-

programm ikun komplut b’suċċess. Dawk iż-żgħażagħ

interessati għandhom jibagħtu lil info.youthmalta@gov.mt. Id-dettalji dwar is-sejħa tistgħu ssibuhom fil-

ħolqa tal-attività: goo.gl/99pXms

A €280,000 cash injection should yield results by the end of 2018

The underground ops room, a real challenge to preserve and

maintain. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi Years of neglect, theft and vandalism are being reversed at Valletta’s Combined Operations Room, Malta’s nerve centre during World War II.

The heritage NGO Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna recently embarked on the delicate challenge of restoring this rock-hewn room to its original configuration.

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Built in the early stages of the air battle for Malta in 1940, within the underground War Headquarters complex beneath the Upper Barrakka, the Combined Operations Room was the place from which all the defensive and offensive naval and military action in and from Malta was directed.

“The restoration of the Combined Ops Room is a mammoth task and will take over a year to complete – we hope to have our first visitors by the end of 2018,” FWA chairman Mario Farrugia said, welcoming the financial injection of €280,000 from the Malta Airport Foundation.

The Combined Operations Room was the place from which all the defensive and offensive naval and military action in and from Malta was directed during World War II.

“Some of the rooms are to be completely reconstructed based on authentic documentation, while the main room will be conserved in its post-war 1969 configuration when it was in use by Nato.”

Left abandoned for decades, the rooms suffered further damage from years of flooding until the government handed the complex over in a trust to the FWA in 2009. Mr Farrugia explained that anything located underground represented a serious challenge to preserve and maintain.

With the help of Malta Airport Foundation funding and the Malta Environment and Landscaping projects, the FWA set about first solving the massive flooding problem from 14 leaks and excessive irrigation at the Upper Barrakka gardens.

The next step was tackling the problems Malta’s humidity was causing, such as serious damage to all the timber and metal works, besides making the air heavy and musty. However, the biggest hurdle in this project, Mr Farrugia explained, was the difficulty in obtaining enough documented historic and technical information to help restore the facility to its original configuration.

“Not just, but the same information is necessary to help us interpret the entire complex, which is spread over some 28,000 square metres of tunnelling and open areas.” The Combined Operations Room consists of a row of rooms which together formed Malta’s main air defence platform against enemy attacks during World War II.

After the war, the rooms were used as the Royal Navy’s Communication Centre and the Royal Airforce Air headquarters. In 1955, part of the place was assigned to Nato, which kept using it until 1971.

“During the Cuban missile crisis, the complex was placed on a war footing, and all staff were closed in for three day,s as it was feared that the naval base in Malta could be attacked by the Soviets in case of an international escalation,” Mr Farrugia said.

Extensive works were carried out on parts of the former War HQ complex – along with the nearby St Peter and St Paul counterguard, the Saluting Battery and the former Garrison Church Crypt – between 2013 and 2014. These works were co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the government, but given the sheer size of the project’s footprint, this was not enough to cover the entire area.

In fact, there were no funds left to restore the Combined Operations Room, which is when the Malta Airport Foundation stepped in to help the FWA finalise the restoration of the complex.

Set up in 2014, the Malta Airport Foundation directs funds into the tourism industry by investing in the Maltese heritage and environment and implementing Malta International Airport’s corporate responsibility projects and investments. The foundation’s contribution in this project is the largest ever in Malta’s heritage to date.

“Since Valletta is a key tourist attraction, we felt this embellishment would add great value to the heritage sites on offer, especially since the Lascaris War Rooms, a sister site for the Operations Room, is one of the top attractions on Trip Advisor,” said the chairman of the Malta Airport Foundation, Frederick Mifsud Bonnici.

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Source: Time of Malta

Significance of Malta for the Allied Forces.

Red are Axis territories, blue (including

Gibraltar and Malta) are Allied, and gray are

neutral. Map shows the situation around

1943. The political boundaries are modern.

Irene Cooper nee Zammit is the daughter of the late Philip Zammit and Carmen Zammit, nee Guillaumier. She was born on the 4th September 1940 at Rabat, Malta. Her parents were evacuated from Hamrun to Rabat, Malta during the beginning of the war. They then moved back to Hamrun where we lived for many years.

Irene went to Teachers" Training College at Tal-Virtu , Rabat Malta and taught Primary School children.She then went and lived and worked in France for a few years and then returned to Malta to teach French, English and Religion at Maria Regina Grammar School , Blata- l- Baida. She subsequently emigrated to England where she worked first as a Bilingual secretary /PA in an advertising agency for a

couple of years. Following that she worked for the Department of Social Security in N.W London, where Irene met my future husband.

They started their own little restaurant business during which time she also successfully studied accounting, typing and Business Management at the Royal Society of Arts, UK. My husband and she decided to emigrate to Australia for a better life and came here on the 4th February 1981. She worked in the Finance department with a Building society and acquired my certificate as an Affiliate of the Australian Building Society of NSW. During that period I was also accepted as a Justice of the Peace of NSW.

In 1988 Irene her her husband moved here to Queensland . They again started their own little restaurant business in Hervey Bay but due to the Pilots Strike in 1989 a lot of businesses suffered and unfortunately they had to move away. The loss of their business proved fatal to their marriage and in 1994 she was back to being single. She has been a volunteer tutor for the last 20 years helping with teaching English to foreign mature students and refugees, Irene has also been a Bi-lingual Justice of the Peace (Qual) in Queensland for the last 26years. This has given me many opportunities to be of great service to my fellow Maltese people as well as to the general public.

During her time here she has also been associated with the local Maltese clubs and was instrumental in facilitating the visit of the then Emeritus Archbishop Paul Cremona during the World Youth Day Visit in 2008. The Maltese people were so happy to be able to meet him in Brisbane even if it was only for one day. She is now the secretary of the Brisbane Maltese Australian Association Inc. As a board member of the Federation of Maltese Living Abroad she looks forward to be of better service to her fellow Maltese here on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane

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Lord Strickland (centre) and members of the government including Sir Augustus Bartoli (first from left) at an official function. IL-BERKA (Il-Berqa) The report of the assassination attempt and the Auberge d”Auvergne in Kingsway (Republic Street) Valletta which housed the Law Courts between 1853 and 1941

During the 1930 general election campaign, Malta’s Prime Minister, Lord Strickland, was at loggerheads with the ecclesiastical authorities. On May 1 the Archbishop of Malta, Dom Maurus Caruana, and the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Michael Gonzi, issued a joint pastoral letter declaring that it would be a mortal sin to vote for Strickland and his candidates, and for those who support him or his party. On April 17 the Governor, General Sir John Du Cane, had dissolved the Legislative Assembly.

While Strickland was walking along the corridors of the law courts, three shots were fired. The shots had gone astray. He took the matter calmly and went inside to read his morning paper

- Eddie Attard

On Friday, May 23, Lord Strickland went to the Auberge d’Auvergne in Kingsway, Valletta, which then housed the law courts, to attend a sitting of the Court of Appeal, which was hearing a case about the electoral law. While Strickland was walking along one of the corridors of the law courts, three shots were fired, allegedly at Strickland.

The shots had gone astray. The bullets hit a wall and the ceiling and had remained lodged there. Strickland took the matter calmly and went inside the courtroom to read his morning paper.

Police Sergeant Duminku Depares and Constables Giuliano Caruana and George Vella, who were near Lord Strickland, intervened, and the gunman, 43-year-old Ġanni Miller, was apprehended and disarmed.The news of the assassination attempt caused an enormous commotion and quickly spread throughout Valletta.

In a matter of minutes a crowd rushed to the law courts and when it was learned that Strickland was unhurt a section of the crowd began shouting “Long live Strickland and down with Mizzi”, referring to Nerik Mizzi, the co-leader of the Nationalist Party and Strickland’s political opponent.

However, when Dr Mizzi heard what had happened he sent Strickland a message of sympathy, strongly condemning the attempt. As a gesture of goodwill, Strickland, accompanied by his daughter Mabel, visited the Nationalist Party printing press in South Street to thank Dr Mizzi personally.

Strickland received many messages of support, foremost among them those from King George V and Archbishop Caruana and Bishop Gonzi.

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The Artichokes - Il-Qaqocc

One of the most common Maltese delicacies which is enjoyed by Maltese families is Malta is -Il-Qaqocc - The Artichoke. The artichoke, cynara scolymus, is actually a member of the thistle family, although its leaves are bigger, broader and soft rather than prickly. Artichoke plants are quite beautiful, like giant ferns - six feet in diameter and three to four feet high. It's the heart at the base of the flower bud produced by the plant that's prized for its delicate flavor and its versatility at the table.

Artichokes have been a part of Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years. Some food historians attribute the cultivation of artichokes to the Romans and Greeks, while others insist that those civilizations first used wild cardoon

or cardone, the artichoke's thistle-family cousin, and that the artichoke was developed from the cardoon in North Africa by Muslim agronomists. Or, Syria may have domesticated the artichoke, based on a reference from the ninth century.

Whoever was responsible, we can be grateful for their long-ago efforts, and for the hundreds of uniquely wonderful artichoke preparations ranging from Maltese bread-crumbs/olives/anchovies stuffed artichokes to Arabic couscous-stuffed artichokes and Spanish baby artichoke tapas, to Italian carciofi alla Romana, to Syrian artichoke hearts with olive oil.

Artichokes probably came to Europe through Sicily in the twelfth century. Catherine de Medici, when she married Louis of France and moved to Paris in the 14th century, is thought to have brought artichokes, along with many other Italian favorites, to French cuisine.

Artichokes are available throughout the year in some countries but peak seasons are spring (March through May) and autumn/winter (September through December). Spring artichokes are compact, firm and heavy for their size. Baby artichokes are also plentiful in the spring. Summer artichokes tend to have longer thorns and their leaves are more open in appearance.

Winter artichokes are more conical in shape. Some autumn and winter artichokes may be touched by frost - winter kissed - and have a light bronze to brown tint to the outer leaves. Artichoke fans prefer the winter kissed artichokes for the nutty, rich flavour. The winter artichokes do revert to their grey-green color when cooked.

Brodu taċ-ċanga, u l-qara’ twil u qarabagħli

mimli.

Beef broth with stuffed long marrow

and courgettes

For the stuffing: 500g lean beef/pork mince, 100g lean chopped bacon, one small onion chopped, a handful of chopped parsley and some fresh sage, 50g grated cheddar cheese, 2 tbs good pickle, 2 small eggs to bind. Mix well, and fill peeled and hollowed long marrow and courgette shells.

For the broth: one large onion, 3 carrots, 1 turnip, 1 kg of good lean beef for broth, a good handful of fresh celery. Put all these ingredients in a large pan with water, season to taste, and cook on a low heat for about 2 hours. Serve the broth strained (if you so like) and add some fresh tortellini, then for a second course serve the beef, the courgettes, and the sliced marrow with some chips.

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